Pop stars all wear the same outfit on tour

[avamaxstan]

I've noticed a trend in recent years when it comes to female pop entertainers and their wardrobe for live performances.

If you look at any major female pop artist, they're all dressed in very similar jewel-encrusted bodices with either flesh-tone stockings or knee-high boots.

Looking back at past generations, you did not see this type of outfit on female performers - they wore a variety of wardrobe styles.

What explains this? The Vegas-ization of live tours? Cultural sexualization of female entertainers? Are they all just sharing the same wardrobe stylists? Who started the trend?




























.

[Rose "Payola" Nylund]

Most of them are dancers or dancing is involved in their shows so it's probably the easiest to move around in while being fairly versatile as far as looks go. If the alternative is dresses and skirts, or jeans, it's probably more dependent on the type of event.

[Ling-Ling]

I've always chalked this up to functionality. It's easier to move around and dance, prevents any sort of wardrobe malfunction or tripping with flowing materials/pants and it also helps keep them cool onstage.

[Daenerys]

If you are asking who started this trend I think it may have been Madonna and her Hung Up music video with the leotards.

If you wanted to do another alternative, I think you could do jumpers, a jumper short set, robes, mini skirts, night gowns, or short kind of style and have the same functionality of what is experienced with the leotard. 

[avamaxstan]

Oct 23, 2023 14:14:56 GMT -5 Rose "Payola" Nylund said:

Most of them are dancers or dancing is involved in their shows so it's probably the easiest to move around in while being fairly versatile as far as looks go. If the alternative is dresses and skirts, or jeans, it's probably more dependent on the type of event.

But from this group, only Beyonce and J.Lo do intense choreography, and Pink does acrobatics.

[Rose "Payola" Nylund]

Oct 23, 2023 15:13:41 GMT -5 avamaxstan said:

Oct 23, 2023 14:14:56 GMT -5 Rose "Payola" Nylund said:

Most of them are dancers or dancing is involved in their shows so it's probably the easiest to move around in while being fairly versatile as far as looks go. If the alternative is dresses and skirts, or jeans, it's probably more dependent on the type of event.

But from this group, only Beyoncé and J.Lo do intense choreography, and Pink does acrobatics.

Why does it matter if it’s “intense” choreography? Movement is movement.

[Wolfy]

Oct 23, 2023 15:09:30 GMT -5 Daenerys said:

If you are asking who started this trend I think it may have been Madonna and her Hung Up music video with the leotards.

If you wanted to do another alternative, I think you could do jumpers, a jumper short set, robes, mini skirts, night gowns, or short kind of style and have the same functionality of what is experienced with the leotard. 

This trend goes way back to the 70s and 80s. Diana Ross used to love performing in leotards:

[🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲]

And Tina Turner also

[🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲]

Janet wore some too








Toni Braxton




Ashanti




Mary J. Blige

[Kelly's 10th Fan]

As mentioned above, the bodysuit/leotard concept isn't new to this generation of pop singers. But now that I think about it, I don't recall many bodysuits from the 90s or most of the 2000s. And even in the 70s and 80s, it wasn't the majority of pop women wearing them. Britney's 2000 VMAs outfit was a one-off and considered a bit scandalous at the time. Madonna brought the leotards back with her Confessions era, but I don't think those were heavily adorned.

I think the current, more sparkly version of the trend might have begun with P!nk and Beyonce in 2008-2009. P!nk started donning bodysuits when she added her now-trademark aerial choreography to her shows, and Beyonce switched from shiny designer dresses/gowns to shiny designer leotards with the I Am... tour. For those two, practicality was likely the largest factor - even with all the sequins and whatnot, one-piece 'fits make for easier quick-changes than other outfits, and are likely more comfortable to move around in as well. I guess other artists' teams saw how well that worked (and also how visually eye-grabbing the sequins catching all the light on a large stage was) and followed suit.

[Wolfy]

Oct 24, 2023 0:12:48 GMT -5 Kelly's 10th Fan said:

I think the current, more sparkly version of the trend might have begun with P!nk and Beyoncé in 2008-2009.

Madonna wore those in 2004:

[avamaxstan]

I prefer the 90s/00s wardrobe style, it looked more athletic and agile. These glittery bodices with bare legs and high heels just give "Vegas showgirl" and seem to impair movement IMO.